Thanks for the direction. I had to create a new VM, the basics for anyone else are
Create your Win11 pro VM including TPM when prompted. (record the password you use)
once you have completed creating your vm
under Hardware - select the TPM and remove
under options - access control, click remove encryption - you will need the password you used for creating the TPM here.
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if anyone wants it, this is my full process. (this is with vmware workstation btw)
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Create a VM manually using the latest Windows 11 ISO. you will have to create a TPM password. you may need it, so record it.
disable network
choose Windows Pro when prompted for an OS
at completion of creating the VM, uncheck the checkbox to start the VM
change network settings to not connect at power on
power on the VM - boot from CD
choose your language and your keyboard preference.
choose windows 11 pro, follow the prompts and start the install. (must be PRO, enterprise isn't on the list of supported OS's)
When you reach the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen with the greyed-out Next button:
1. press Shift + F10 to launch a command prompt.
2. In the command prompt, cd to C:\windows\system32\oobe and run bypassnro.cmd
This will execute the OOBE BypassNRO command, bypassing the network requirement during Windows 11 setup.
the OOBE restarts, you enter the details again till you get to the "Let's connect you to a network"
down the bottom, choose " I don't have internet" (new option created by using bypassnro.cmd)
Enter the name of the account you will use "Admin" (or whatever you want)
Enter a password (you will need this so record somewhere.)
add your security passwords. make them something you can remember and record them.
privacy settings - disable all
OS will now configure itself and will log in with account details you gave
Log into the VM, install VMWare tools (you may need to initiate manually from the Drive after running it from the vm tab, restart when prompted, log in.
enable shared folders and map as a network drive
vmware tools - enable synch time with host
enable autologin and enter the creds for the local admin you created.
change network to bridged and replicate
from the host PC - copy osprovision from C:\Program Files (x86)\Caphyon\Advanced Installer 22.4\bin to the VM via shared folders, rename it to add the version for later reference, copy it to the desktop of your VM (so it is obvious what version you have in future) and run it and install.
it won't say when it is finished, just give it a minute or so and check C:\Program Files (x86)\Caphyon\Advance Installer remote tools " for the RexecServerUserApp.exe" file.
restart your guest and log back in (autologin should do that)
configure any basic options the way you prefer.
Connect the network - Do updates (do them as quick as you can and disconnect network again or you may get spammed with various apps
in vm settings, change network adapter to connected, bridged and replicate
wait for network to connect with internet
check for updates - they should start installing once found.
While you wait for updates to apply, go to settings -
time and language - date and time - set the time zone to Brisbane and choose to Sync Time - verify you now have the right time.
time and language - Language and Region - set display language to English Australia
Privacy and Security - searching windows - advanced indexing options - Modify
Untick everything (start menu won't be able to be removed)
Restart and log in after the updates complete
recheck for any more updates, apply and restart till you get no more.
go to settings - apps - startup and disable all except vmware tools core service.
in Windows Security - disable all Antivirus and firewall settings.
go to your vm settings and disable network.
restart / log in (autologin should happen).
Services - locate, stop and disable Windows Search
ensure network is now off - if not use vmware settings to remove the checkbox for "Connect" on the network settings.
in vmware settings, go to hardware and delete the TPM
under options - access control, click remove encryption
under Options - Advanced - tick "Disable side channel mitigations for Hyper-V enabled Hosts.
create a snapshot.
Step 2 - configure Advanced Repackater
power up and log in (autologin)
you will need an exe to start the process.
open advanced repackager, click "Capture Setup" button. point at your exe
on the toolbar, choose "Start in VM" - choose the options for "Edit Virtual Machine Profiles"
Click Vmware Servers - localhost, then click the plus at the bottom
virtualization product - vmware workstation
virtual machine - browse to the vmx for your vm
vm snapshots - current state
username and password - enter the admin creds you used
OK
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NOTES - bypassnro.cmd is used in Win 1124H2, earlier versions used "OOBE\BYPASSNRO",
It appears Microsoft may be removing both options in future windows, so you'll need a new option then.
https://windowsforum.com/threads/micros ... 11.358676/
